Sutton Shoppers enjoy Fairtrade Fortnight

There was an enthusiastic response from shoppers and residents of Sutton to the free tasting of Fairtrade products in Sutton last Saturday.

The event was organised by the Sutton Fairtrade Steering group to mark Fairtrade fortnight which runs from 23rd February to 8th March. Shoppers in the St Nicholas Centre were offered free tasting of a range of Fairtrade products such as chocolates, cakes, biscuits, orange juices, smoothies and wines which were donated by the Co-Op, Salisbury's's and Asda, and were very popular.

The tasting event was an opportunity to let people know about the extensive range of Fairtrade products that now exist, and which are sold or served in small shops, catering outlets and supermarkets across Sutton.

"Fairtrade changes lives" says Anne Towner who is co- chair of the steering group " as it is a way which guarantees a better deal for farmers in developing countries so that the price they get for their crops is more than the cost of their production".

Tom visited the stall along with members of Sutton council to demonstrate their support for Sutton's status as a Fairtrade Borough .

Tom said "I have seen first hand in Ghana the positive impact Fairtrade can have. For cocoa farmers there, the extra income they get selling cocoa as a Fairtrade product, makes the difference between having to send their children out into the fields to work and being able to send them to school."

Anyone who is interested in knowing more about Fairtrade in Sutton or joining the local network can visit www.fairtrade.insutton.org